Download pHeT – Plate Tectonics

Name: ______________________________________________________________Date: _____________ Period: ___
Directions:
*Go to the following website and click Play. Allow to load.
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/plate-tectonics
*On the bottom right-hand corner of the simulator click on “Both and “Show Labels”.
Part A: Oceanic vs. Continental Crust
1. Observe the Oceanic Crust on your left and the continental crust on your right. Which type of crust is thicker?
________________________
2. You can change the crust in the middle of the simulator by adjusting the temperature, composition and
thickness. Grab and move the Density gauge and thermometer into the crust in the middle. Adjust each of the
variables ONE AT A TIME by sliding the dials. Click “Reset All” after each change. Describe what happens to the
plate when you adjust each variable.
Variable
Cool
Warm
More Iron
More Silica
Thin
Thick
Temperature
Composition
Thickness
3. Use the information you just collected in the table above to answer the following questions:
a) Which type of crust has a higher temperature? ___________________________
b) Which type of crust has a higher composition of silica? ___________________________
c) Which type of crust has a higher composition of iron? ___________________________
d) Which type of crust is thicker? ___________________________
e) Which type of crust has a lower temperature? ___________________________
4. Why type of crust do geologists most typically drill when trying to reach the mantle? Explain why they do this.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________.
Part B: Plate Motion
1. At the top of the simulator, click on the Plate Motion tab. At the top click on “Manual Mode”. At the bottom,
click on “Both” and “Show labels” and “Show Seawater” WHENEVER possible!
Drag the Continental Crust Icon to both sides of the plate boundary. Two red knobs should appear. Drag one of the
knobs towards the middle (convergent) and watch what happens! Then create a divergent boundary by pulling it away
from the other. Finally, pull the knob toward you to create a transform fault. Fill out the table below. To reset the
simulator each time click “New Crust”. To see the same thing happen again click “Rewind”.
A: Continental vs. Continental Plate Boundaries
Two types of plates
Continental vs.
Continental
Continental vs.
Continental
Continental vs.
Continental
Type of boundary









Describe what happens!
Land features
formed?
Time
Elapsed
Convergent
Divergent
Transform
Convergent
Divergent
Transform
Convergent
Divergent
Transform
B: Continental vs. Oceanic Plate Boundaries
Two types of plates
Continental vs. Oceanic
Type of boundary



Describe what happens!
Time
Elapsed
Convergent
Divergent
Transform
C: Old Oceanic vs. Young Oceanic Plate Boundaries
Two types of plates
Type of boundary
Describe what happens!
Time
Elapsed
 Convergent
 Divergent
 Transform
 Convergent
Old Oceanic vs.
 Divergent
Young Oceanic
 Transform
 Convergent
Old Oceanic vs.
 Divergent
Young Oceanic
 Transform
2. Why does old oceanic crust subduct under young oceanic crust? _______________________________________
Old Oceanic vs.
Young Oceanic
___________________________________________________________________________________________.
3. Where does “new crust” come from? Where does “old crust” go? ______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________.
4. Why do you think you aren’t able to create a divergent oceanic/continental boundary? ____________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________.